A Syrian Orthodox Church located in a town in Mesopotamia was destroyed
several days ago. St. Mary's Church and the Christian school of Al-Wahda in
Deir Ezzor was located in the center of fighting that has caused the mass
exodus of the civilian population.

In a report by Fides News Agency, Metropolitan Archbishop Eustathius Matta
Roham of Jazirah and Euphrates stated that "it is avery sad day for me and
for the whole community."

The two buildings were hit and destroyed in the crossfire between the army
and rebel groups. Local sources have reported to Fides that Mesopotamia is
experiencing a "slow death" and that the entire civilian populations, which
include Arabs, Christians, Kurds are paying a very high price.

"This fierce war is above all a war against our civilization. It is a
conflict where everyone loses, in the destruction of our beloved country. If
the rebels or the regime think they can win, in the end, I think we will
only have a country in ruins, with thousands of orphans, widows, poor people
and especially destabilized by enmity in society," Archbishop Matta Roham
said.

The Metropolitan Archbishop also addressed those fighting in the conflict.
"Who will rebuild all that we have built over decades of hard work? And how
long will it take? Who will build deteriorated social relations? We ask for
the prayers of all Christians in the world, in order to regain peace in
Syria," the Archbishop said.